The following post is a message to our Chapter Presidents from Tom Sauret, regarding insurance for SORBA chapters.

Everyone:

You will be receiving an email from IMBA's Boulder Office today or tomorrow outlying the recent developments in the search for affordable insurance. The developments are not good. The IMBA BOD decided last weekend not to renew the national liability program. IMBA's reasons will be outlined in the communication that I expect you will receive shortly.

In 2013, the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) designated the Forever Wild Land Trust’s Coldwater Mountain tract near Anniston as a Bronze Level Ride Center, a large-scale mountain bike facility that offers a wide variety of ride options for riders of all skill levels. The IMBA has also inducted Oak Mountain State Park’s mountain bike trails into its Epic Ride Hall of Fame.

That makes Greg Lein very happy. Lein, former administrator with Forever Wild, is currently the director of the Alabama State Parks Division.

NEABA SORBA will host the Summit March 20-22nd in Anniston, AL. Advocates, enthusiasts, industry representatives, public officials and public servants will gather in Alabama’s scenic piedmont area to present, learn, network, socialize, and, of course, ride bicycles. The Bridge in downtown Anniston, owned and operated by the First United Methodist Church, will house Summit meetings. On Friday, the focus will be on educating those who manage our public lands about how to effectively create, expand, and manage mountain bicycling opportunities in their parks and forests.

BikeToursDirect has partnered with SORBA to offer two one-of-a-kind MTB tours to Scotland and Mexico in 2014. Both the Scotland tour in Cairngorms National Park, and the MTB Adventure and Food Tour to Oaxaca Mexico were designed for and available exclusively to SORBA members.

Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP-SORBA) invites proposals for the design of additional multi-use trails in Chewacla State Park. In addition to the base design proposal, we also request proposals for additional design options, and mechanized trail construction workshop as alternates to the base proposal. Please see this document for additional details on the submission and review process.

Associate Regional Director: SORBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) are seeking candidates for a full-time, exempt position as Associate-level Regional Director to work in the southeastern United States. This Associate-level Director will work under the supervision of the SORBA Executive Director/IMBA Regional Director.

An applicant who resides in the Atlanta, GA, area or is willing to travel to that area frequently is highly desired.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) are seeking candidates for a full-time, exempt position as Associate-level Regional Director to work in the southeastern United States. This Associate-level Director will work under the supervision of the SORBA Executive Director/IMBA Regional Director.

It saddens me to report that Scott Scudamore, tireless MTB advocate and all-around great human being, passed away last week. Scott’s struggle to overcome the injuries he sustained on September 22, 2013 worsened in late December as he battled infection, some bouts with delirium, and ultimately pneumonia.